Chapter 43 - 043. How about I take you in?

Noticing that everyone’s gaze was fixed on the young wolf pup, Li Mochan slightly furrowed his brow, and subtly defused the situation for her. "Let’s cut the cake," he said.

Feng Yi, pulling Jiang Yisheng along, followed and slowed his steps as they passed by Ye Jiuliang. He winked at her.

"Well hit."

Hearing his egging on, Jiang Yisheng held her forehead.

Always loving to stir the pot, huh.

Ye Jiuliang nonchalantly accepted his praise.

The five-tiered cake was exquisite and luxurious. Getting closer, one could vaguely smell the sweet scent of the cake.

Li Mochan took the knife handed over by the servant to cut the cake, casually sliced it twice, took a plate, and put a piece of cake on it.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he directly handed the piece of cake in his hand to Ye Jiuliang, "The first slice."

Ye Jiuliang looked at the cake on the plate, blinking.

He really took her words seriously?

Beside her, Feng Yi felt a sour taste in his mouth.

Brother, this dog food is sweeter than the limit.

Looking around at the guests with their shocked expressions, it was as if they had seen ghosts while walking through a graveyard in the middle of the night.

"Thank you," Ye Jiuliang reached for the cake, her eyes curving as she thanked him.

Li Mochan’s thin lips slightly curled.

The harmonious atmosphere between the two made the Li Family and Ye Family members stare in bewilderment, especially the Li Family.

In their minds, Li Mochan had never treated anyone so specially before, let alone with such a mild attitude.

"Grandpa, you all go ahead and chat, I will not disturb you, I will stay over there for a while," Ye Jiuliang said politely, holding the cake.

Old Master Ye’s eyes moved inquisitively between her and Li Mochan and he solemnly cautioned, "Don’t cause any more trouble."

"I know." she answered nonchalantly, then holding the cake, walked briskly toward the terrace.

Old Master Ye said, "Li Lao, I’ll go over there for a bit, later I’ll come back and chat with you."

Ye Lei and the others nodded slightly towards Old Master Li, then followed Old Master Ye away.

"Mohan, are you very familiar with that young girl?" As soon as Old Master Ye left, Old Master Li couldn’t help but ask.

"Why did you take her side like that?"

It was obvious to whom ’young girl’ referred.

The Li Family members quietly perked up their ears, waiting for his answer.

"Take her side?" Li Mochan bypassed his first question, his tone icy, "The fault lies with the Li Family in this matter to begin with, there’s no question of taking sides."

Old Master Li continued, "Even so, the way you just defended her publicly and personally cut the cake for her, what will other people think?"

"Whatever they think is their concern, not mine."

With that, Li Mochan stepped away.

Old Master Li’s eyes widened, this brat.

"Grandpa, you saw it too, Uncle Five always takes that wretched girl Ye Jiuliang’s side," Li Jingxuan complained indignantly once Li Mochan had walked away.

"If tonight’s incident gets out, it will be such an embarrassment for our Li Family."

"We’ll discuss this matter after the party, don’t lose our dignity in front of outsiders," Old Master Li said sharply, glancing towards Li Jingjie and his group, not allowing any further discussion.

"Yes," Li Jingxuan and the others obediently replied.

＊＊

Terrace

Ye Jiuliang leaned against the iron railing, looking at the garden not far away, occasionally taking a bite of cake.

As she ate the cake, she suddenly started to worry about how she would return home later.

In the dead of night, where would she find fuel for her car?

"Have some juice."

The person behind her had approached at some point, and Ye Jiuliang watched as the man handed her the juice, a slight curve forming on her red lips.

She put the half-eaten cake on the table, took the juice he offered, and thanked him.

Ye Jiuliang sipped the juice, which diluted the sweetness of the cake. She spoke softly, "That person is from the Li Family’s collateral line. You help me, aren’t you afraid of other Li Family members having opinions about you?"

"No matter," he said.

"My grandfather and the others always say I’m making trouble. Why don’t you think it was me who caused trouble first, like they do?" Ye Jiuliang asked with interest.

Li Mochan looked at her with his deep eyes, and after a pause, he said, "You’re not that kind of person."

Ye Jiuliang couldn’t help but chuckle, her body leaning to one side, her eyes twinkling with teasing laughter, "Then what kind of person am I, hmm?"

Her delicately scented body suddenly drew close, causing Li Mochan’s heartbeat to turn erratic, "Stand properly."

"Then you first tell me what kind of person I am." She kept teasing him with unflagging enjoyment.

"Drink your juice."

"Master Li, come on, tell me." Master Jiu wanted to tease him until his face turned red.

Li Mochan awkwardly changed the subject, "Don’t drive after drinking. I’ll take you back later, and your motorcycle will be returned to you tomorrow."

"I didn’t say I was going back." Ye Jiuliang’s eyes gleamed with a hint of laziness. Going back to the Ye Family tonight meant a certain punishment of staying in the Jing Pavilion; she’d rather find a hotel to stay in for the night.

Li Mochan looked down at her. "If not going home, then where?"

Every time she saw Li Mochan with a stern face, Ye Jiuliang couldn’t control her own wicked sense of humor.

"How about Master Li gives me shelter for the night?"

Her soft, sweet voice invaded his senses, and Li Mochan’s eyes darkened. Finally, he raised his hand.

Two fingers curved and he lightly flicked her smooth forehead.

"Be serious."

Ye Jiuliang paused, then laughed out loud.

She leaned closer to him, squinting with laughter, "I am very serious. If you don’t believe me, take a close look."

"Leaving everyone in the room hanging, it seems Master Li has run off here to have a tryst with a beauty."

A cold voice interjected, laced with a hint of mockery.

Without even seeing the person, Li Mochan knew who it was. He looked up, and Xiao Lingchen was walking towards them.

Ye Jiuliang looked up at him, "Your friend?"

Li Mochan, "No."

Ye Jiuliang uttered an "Oh" and stood up straight.

"Miss Ye is young, yet she has considerable courage and nerve. Master Li is usually aloof to strangers, but it seems he’s enjoying himself talking with Miss Ye," Xiao Lingchen commented as he glanced at Li Mochan and then shifted his gaze to Ye Jiuliang with a meaningful tone.

Ye Jiuliang tugged at her lips; the air was thick with gunpowder.

It seemed he was Li Mochan’s sworn enemy.

Xiao Lingchen continued, "I heard Miss Ye saying she had nowhere to go. If Master Li doesn’t give you shelter, how about I take you in?" As he spoke, his inscrutable eyes swept towards Li Mochan.

The challenge was unmistakable.

Li Mochan’s expression turned frosty for a moment, and he subtly placed Ye Jiuliang behind him, his cold gaze meeting Xiao Lingchen’s inquisitive eyes.

"It seems Mr. Xiao has been quite idle lately, having the time to be curious about other people’s private affairs," Li Mochan retorted.

Xiao Lingchen gave a smile that wasn’t a smile. "I think there are quite a few people in the capital who are curious about Master Li’s private matters."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Ye Jiuliang mumbled idly.

Invisibly, she had turned Xiao Lingchen’s jab back on him.

Li Mochan’s thin lips curved upward slightly, and Xiao Lingchen’s eyes suddenly turned sinister. After a long while, he said in a cool tone, "Whether it kills the cat or the person, that’s hard to say."

Li Mochan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. It seemed the Xiao Family had been too idle lately; since that was the case, he’d have to be "kind" enough to find something for them to do.